THE CLASSIC IS REBORN.

For years, those who loved the road, the wind, the sky, and the stars
had cars to satisfy their passions: the classic roadsters. But then
those cars disappeared. The car enthusiasts at Mazda asked, "Why?"
and set out to give the world a modern car that recreated the special
feeling and pleasure of classic sports car driving. That car is the
Mazda Miata, a car that becomes a part of you and responds, not just
to your command, but almost to your thought. In short, a car with
heart and soul.

Imagine yourself on what might be the most perfect two-lane country
road in existence, your best friend sitting beside you and the throaty
Miata exhaust growl making you forget all about those CDs you brought
along. And then you come to a sharp curve.

But then it's gone. Dropping down and then up a gear is so quick and
light, and the steering and brakes so direct and natural that you're
out of the turn, back on the straight, almost without realizing it.
Clutch, shift, gas, clutch, brake, steer, gas, clutch, shift, clutch,
gas. It seemed to be just a series of thoughts.

For a car to feel this good when driven this enthusiastically isn't
something that just happens. Like every car we make, the Miata was
designed using Kansei Engineering, our deeply held philosophy that a
car must go beyond merely performing right; it must also feel right.
Using Kansei Engineering we learn things no computer could ever tell
us. Things like how stable the car feels going around a curve; if the
exhaust sounds just right when accelerating; even how a driver feels
resting an elbow on the window sill. This devotion to designing
vehicles based on human needs and emotions leads Mazda to innovative
solutions.

It was learned, for example, that the Miata would feel right only if
it had perfect, 50/50 front/rear weight distribution. To achieve
that, we did critical design work with the car suspended on a single
steel cable from its exact center, allowing ideas affecting weight
distribution to be immediately seen and evaluated. This resulted,
among other things, in giving the Miata a light, but strong, aluminum
hood, and mounting the special low-weight battery in the trunk.

When our engineers were done, the classic roadster was back, but now
with modern technology and reliability, and a special feeling behind
the wheel that could only have com from Mazda. Drop the top and get
some wind in your face. These are the good old days.

The Global Road Circuit at our Miyoshi Proving Ground in Japan contains
accurate reconstructions of 20 different road surfaces from all around
the world. It permits our engineers to fine-tune our vehicles for any
type of driving you might encounter.

Drop the top every chance you get. Nothing beats the wind in your
face.

WHY IT FEELS THE WAY IT FEELS.

Everywhere you go, you're accompanied by a deep, throaty growl. That
glorious sound comes from the high-revving, DOHC, 16-valve
fuel-injected Miata engine.
It provides quick throttle response thanks to a race-bred induction
system, distributorless ignition, and lightweight flywheel. Helping
the motor breathe deeply is a tuned exhaust system with
stainless-steel "headers," just like the setup used on
high-performance exotics. And, to make sure the Miata experience
sounded just right, Mazda engineers tried over 100 different exhaust
notes before finding the one that said "sports car." After a while,
that exhaust note will tell you when to shift.

The shifter feels so good, you'll try to find excuses to run through
the gears. Controlling a 5-speed, close-ratio overdrive transmission,
the shifter's compact linkage has slick, precise throws of only 1.8
inches.
Car and Driver
said it "feels like a toggle switch." A four-speed automatic
transmission with overdrive is also available.

A Miata is rock-solid, with little of the body flex that degraded
handling and comfort in classic roadsters. Mazda engineers used
Dynamic Modal Analysis software and a Cray supercomputer to analyze
body stress at 8900 points, and created a chassis/body so rigid, the
additional bracing used in most convertibles was not needed. To keep
the three major drivetrain components as rigid as the chassis, Mazda
examined the technology used in some of the world's most exotic sports
cars and created an ingenious lightweight subframe called the Power
Plant Frame (PPF). Refining the classic front-engine/rear-drive
layout, the PPF locks engine, transmission and differential into one
solid piece of machinery. You'll notice a near absence of vibration,
shudder, or slack even if you're changing gears, braking, and turning
all at the same time.

What there's no absence of is road feel. You'll know exactly what
your wheels are doing, and they'll respond instantly to your command
through the quick rack-and-pinion steering system. All four wheels
are independently suspended on double wishbones, coil springs, and
low-pressure gas-filled shocks. Adding the optional limited-slip
differential can further improve handling on wet or slippery road
surfaces.

Unfortunately, there are times when you have to slow down, or even
bring you Miata to a complete stop. Handling that job are
power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes, with the front discs ventilated
for increased fade resistance. The optional Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) provides reassuring stability and steering control under hard
braking.

While any car is the sum of its parts, those in the Miata seem to add
up a whole lot better. You may not remember why a Miata feels the way
it does, but after even one drive you'll never forget the feeling.

The Power Plant Frame (PPF) locks the engine, transmission, and
differential into a single rigid unit. The result is immediate
throttle response, and a noticeable lack of drivetrain vibration,
shudder, and slack.

NOTHING WAS LEFT TO CHANCE.

Just like its mechanical components, the interior features of the
Miata are designed to provide an incredible feeling of command and
control.

Settle into the contoured, high-back bucket seat. The pedals are
arranged in the exact position for heel-and-toe driving, and the
short-throw shifter is just where you hand expects to find it. In
front of you is full white-on-black "quick-read" analog
instrumentation ringed in classic chrome. Every gauge and control is
carefully placed for instant visibility and ease of operation.

The softtop is easy to use, also. It can be raised or lowered in just
a moment by one person. When the weather turns chilly or wet, raise
it to create a snug, warm, dry cabin.

Everything in a Miata serves the sole purpose of improving the sports
car experience. Whether it's the way the car handles the road, or the
way the driver handles the car, there should never be a doubt about
who's in control. In a Miata, you are.

Arranged to be read with one smooth sweep of your eyes, classic analog
gauges keep you in touch with the vital signs of your Miata.

WHAT A ROADSTER IS ALL ABOUT.

Somehow, the miles and the hours have slipped by almost without
notice, and now you're in a place you've looked at, but never really
seen before. It's something you'll have to get used to. It happens
all the time to Miata owners.

Is it the rush of the wind? Or the warmth of the sun? Maybe it's
that mellow, almost comforting, sound the Miata makes, or the way this
roadster lets you handle a brand new road like you've been driving it
all your life. Reasons for loving the Miata are as many and as varied
as the conversations that take place in them. But whatever your
particular reason is, there's a very good chance that what started out
as just a pleasant Sunday drive has put you many miles from home, and
forced you to answer a couple of serious questions: "Do we leave the
top down?" and "Is there an even longer way home?"

The Mazda 36-month/50,000-Mile Limited Warranty. Mazda warrants that
the Mazda vehicle will be free of defects with normal use and
prescribed maintenance for 36 months or 50,000 miles, whichever comes
first, or Mazda will repair any problem without charge. Ordinary
maintenance items or adjustments, parts subject to normal wear and
replacement, and certain other items are excluded. This transferable,
"limited warranty" is free on all new 1992 Mazda vehicles sold and
service in the United States. See your Mazda Dealer for details.